Four days before the non-waiver trade deadline, Melvin took a break from the phones for a lighthearted introduction of Chorizo, the newest addition to the popular Klement's Sausage Race.

Chorizo will join the Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage and Hot Dog for a race on "Cerveceros Day" -- that's "Brewers" in Spanish for you gringos -- following the sixth inning of Saturday's Brewers-Reds game at Miller Park. Chorizo will then be "optioned out to the Minor Leagues for more seasoning," according to Melvin, though there is also the issue of Major League Baseball's approval process for new mascots. The Sausage Race will officially become a five-weenie affair beginning on Opening Day of 2007.

Chorizo, a spicy pork sausage, signed a contract and was presented with a jersey reading "Cerveceros" across the front during Thursday's mock press conference, an affair stuffed with so many food references it left you with a stomach ache. But this was also serious business.

I think he may be worth taking a chance on in deeper leagues. Though unpolished, he has major potential, and could be a factor in September. Also, keeper league members, if this guy is still available, pick him up IMMEDIATELY.

The Brewers have stepped up their marketing efforts in the Hispanic community in recent years. The most significant effort began in 2003, when the team began producing original Spanish-language weekend television broadcasts on the local Telemundo affiliate. The addition of Chorizo marked another symbolic step.

So wait, Hispanic people are going to start going out to baseball games because there's a sausage running around the field in a sombrero?..

I don't get marketing.

You've got a diamond, You've got nine men You've got a hat and a bat, And that's not all..